Pebble Beach classic car auctions - 2013 preview

The world's leading classic car buyers are descending on Pebble Beach, Monterey, for four days of auctions

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance will take place in Monterey, California for the 63rd time on Sunday, August 18. Some 15,000 visitors will flock to see 200 of the world's finest classic cars at the famous 18th hole of the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

For many classic car fans though, the true excitement comes from the series of auctions which take place in the region in the days leading up to the Concours. Let's have a look at what's on offer this year.

Russo and Steele - Thursday, August 15 to Saturday, August 17

The 1962 Shelby Cobra will appear at Monterey waterfront

A 1962 Shelby Cobra Independent Competition Roadster will be among the stars of three days' of auction action at Monterey waterfront courtesy of Russo and Steele. Also featuring will be a 1981 Jaguar XJR-4 Trans Am which raced in the Daytona 24 Hours, and one of just eight 1949 Ferrari 166 Inter Berlinettas to receive coachwork from Stabilimenti Farina. No estimates have been produced for these vehicles.

Mecum Auctions - Thursday, August 15 to Saturday, August 17

One of two Spyders made for Ferris Buellers Day Off

Mecum's offering includes a touch of film nostalgia, with one of two replica Ferrari 250 GT Spyders built for 1980s cult film Ferris Bueller's Day Off set to auction. It has a $300,000 valuation. The pair to this one sold at Bonhams in 2010 for 79,600 ($122,999). Duesenberg lovers are also in for a treat, with the inclusion of a 1930 Model J Torpedo Phaeton. One of just six Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR Roadsters will also feature.

Bonhams - Friday, August 16

This Bugatti Type 35 prototype was driven by Ettore Bugatti himself

The prototype of the Bugatti Type 35 will star at Bonhams' Quail Lodge auction - one of just six examples of the 1920s racing car ever built. Estimates suggest the machine could make as much as $2.5m.

Bidders will also have the opportunity to get their hands on the $5m-valued 1931 Bentley 4 Litre Supercharged Le Mans - one of just three examples of the Le Mans chassis to feature a supercharged engine.

RM Auctions - Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17

The 1953 Ferrari MM Spider features coachwork by Pinin Farina

Featuring more than 25 cars expected to break the $1m barrier, this is set to be a big one. Highlights will include a hugely rare 1953 Ferrari 375 MM Spider with coachwork by Pinin Farina, one of the legendary Ferrari 275 GTB/4 N.A.R.T Spyders, and a 1928 Mercedes-Benz 680S Torpedo Roadster.

The only auction that is officially linked with the Concours d'Elegance, Gooding & Company has provided the biggest sale of the Pebble Beach auctions in each of the past five years. This time around, the top bids are likely to be provided by a 1957 Ferrari 250 GT 14-Louver Berlinetta, which has an $11m valuation. It is one of just nine ever built, of which eight remain.

A 2002 Ferrari F1 car, driven to grand prix victories by both Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, has a $2.6m estimate, while a 1948 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Competizione has a $3.5m valuation. A 1929 Bentley Speed Six Grafton Coupe will arrive with a $4m estimate.

Paul Fraser Collectibles will be bringing you all the results from the Pebble Beach auctions over the coming days, so make sure you bookmark our Classic Cars news page.

In the meantime, why not check out this Paul Newman worn racing jacket we have in stock?